On November 21, 2024, the Aptos Foundation announced some exciting news. They are integrating Circle’s USDC and the cross-chain transfer protocol, known as CCTP, into the Aptos Network. Plus, Stripe is adding support for Aptos in its crypto products.
This integration aims to enhance decentralized finance (DeFi) on Aptos. It will also improve interoperability and streamline global payment solutions for merchants.
Aptos is becoming a hub for interoperable DeFi. It’s recognized as one of the fastest and most cost-effective enterprise-grade blockchains. By integrating Aptos into Stripe’s crypto on-ramp and payout products, along with native USDC, users will enjoy reliable fiat on- and off-ramps. This makes transactions easier for merchants and connects traditional finance with blockchain technology.
Currently, USDC is the largest regulated stablecoin backed by the dollar. It has over $37 billion in circulation, with more than $160 million circulating on Aptos. The bridged USDC is the most popular stablecoin on the network. With this new integration, native USDC will be issued directly on Aptos through Circle’s regulated entities. CCTP will allow developers to create cross-chain experiences, linking their Aptos applications to a network of supported blockchains.
Bridge providers, like Stargate built on LayerZero, will help transition from the existing bridged USDC on Aptos to the new native USDC over time. The AptosBridge will continue to operate normally, with no immediate changes. Before the native USDC launch, the bridged USDC will be renamed to ‘lzUSDC’ on block explorers. The team will reach out to ecosystem apps to encourage them to update their user interfaces and documentation accordingly.
The launch of CCTP will boost interoperability in DeFi on Aptos. It will enable secure and efficient transfers of native USDC. With Aptos included, CCTP will now support nine blockchains, including Arbitrum, Base, Ethereum, and Solana, offering 72 routes with one-to-one capital efficiency. This means seamless cross-chain onboarding, swaps, purchases, and treasury rebalancing—all while keeping the user experience accessible and intuitive.
With Aptos now part of Stripe’s offerings, users can easily convert fiat currencies into USDC through Aptos-enabled wallets. This integration will allow USDC to be used across Stripe’s global network of businesses. Combining Stripe’s payment solutions with Aptos’ scalable network opens new opportunities for merchants and payment providers to conduct transactions more efficiently, securely, and at lower costs.
John Egan, head of crypto at Stripe, mentioned that adding support for the Aptos blockchain in their products broadens access to more efficient global fund flows with stablecoins. This benefits retailers accepting payments worldwide and platforms paying creators no matter where they are. The collaboration connects Stripe’s global network with the power of the Aptos blockchain, creating new pathways for merchants and consumers to use stablecoin-based payments.
Nikhil Chandhok, chief product officer at Circle, noted that the DeFi ecosystem on Aptos has grown five times in the past year. Aptos has proven to be an efficient way to move money globally. The arrival of native USDC and CCTP will further enhance this growth and support a vision of a more accessible economy.
Bashar Lazaar, head of grants and ecosystem at Aptos Foundation, stated that USDC and CCTP are the gold standards in DeFi. Stripe is a trusted name in financial infrastructure. Their integration with Aptos is a significant step toward creating a more accessible, secure, and decentralized future for finance.
Mo Shaikh, CEO of Aptos Labs, expressed excitement about Aptos simplifying the movement of economic value. He looks forward to seeing Aptos become a unifying force in the global economy, enhancing payment efficiency and enabling peer-to-peer money movement within its ecosystem.
For more information about the Aptos Foundation and DeFi on Aptos, visit their website.
The Aptos Foundation is dedicated to supporting the development of the Aptos protocol, decentralized network, and ecosystem. They aim to engage with the Aptos community and bring the benefits of decentralization to everyone.
Aptos is a next-generation layer-one blockchain. Its breakthrough technology and programming language, Move, are designed to improve performance and strengthen user protections.
Circle is a global financial technology firm that helps businesses of all sizes harness the power of digital currencies and public blockchains for payments, commerce, and financial applications. Circle issues USDC and EURC, which are recognized as highly liquid and trusted money protocols on the internet.
Stripe serves as a financial infrastructure platform for businesses, used by millions of companies—from large enterprises to ambitious startups—to accept payments, grow revenue, and accelerate new business opportunities. Headquartered in San Francisco and Dublin, Stripe aims to increase the GDP of the internet.
For inquiries, please contact Hannah Noyes, communications lead at Aptos Labs.